Exeter-Milligan 52/Sterling 14
Exeter-Milligan 52/Sterling 14
The Sterling Jets traveled to Milligan to take on the defending D-1 state champion Exeter-Milligan Timberwolves this past Friday. The Timberwolves proved early and often that they are looking to repeat by scoring 5 times in the 1st quarter and cruising to the victory.
Kyle Jensen found the end zone twice in the opening quarter on runs of 20 and 25 yards. Dustin Axline punched one across from 10 yards out while Sean Maxson also found pay dirt from 3 yards out. The final score of the quarter came on a hookup from Sam Zeleny to Derek Luzum from 57 yards out. PAT's were converted on 2 runs by Zeleny and 1 from Trevor Luzum. The score was 36-0 after one quarter.
The Timberwolves stretched out their lead with 2 more scores before the half on runs of 3 yards by Johnathon Mounce and 11 yards by T. Luzum. Luzum punched in the 2nd PAT. The Timberwolves took a commanding 50-0 lead into halftime.
The Jets got into the scoring column early in the 3rd quarter on a 50 yard run by Rhet Dirks. A Josh Masur to Jordan Wenzl connection added the PAT. The Timberwolves added a safety later in the quarter when they stopped Dirks in his own end zone. The Jets finished off the scoring late in the game on a 4 yard run by Austin Walters. The PAT pass was incomplete. The final score stood at Exeter-Milligan 52 Sterling 14.
Dirks was the leading rusher for the Jets with 97 yards on 19 carries. Wenzl added 12 yards on 5 carries, Masur had 4 yards on 4 carries and Walters had 4 yards on 1 carry. Masur was 2 of 9 passing for 46 yards and Dirks was 0 of 1 passing. Dirks had 1 reception for 26 yards and Dylan Benson had 1 catch for 20 yards.
Thomas Tucker led the Jet defensive effort with 9 tackles and 11 assists. Jet defenders cracking the tackle column were; Masur 5 tackles, 7 assists, Benson 4 tackles, 6 assists, Walters 3 tackles, 1 assist, and 2 quarterback sacks, Ben Hier 2 tackles, 1 assist, and 1 fumble recovery, Wenzl 1 tackle, 5 assists, Josh Dolbow 1 tackle, Dirks 5 assists, Paxton Donovan 2 assists, and Seth Harms 1 assist.
" What can you say, we ran into a buzz saw. The size they bring to the table is definitely a force to be reckon with. Their running backs were bigger than most of our lineman, which usually spells trouble. Our kids fought as hard as they could, we just couldn't compete at their level at this point in the season. We will put this one behind us and focus on our next game which happens to be another tough opponent in Nebraska City Lourdes."
Sterling's next contest is Friday, September 19th vs. the Nebraska City Lourdes Knights in Sterling. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m.